GeoFroggy

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Background

The national legislature convened in January 2011 and selected former Prime Minister THEIN SEIN as president. Although the vast majority of national-level appointees named by THEIN SEIN are former or current military officers, the government initiated a series of political and economic reforms leading to a substantial opening of the long-isolated country. These reforms included releasing hundreds of political prisoners, concluding negotiations on a draft nationwide cease-fire with the country's various ethnic armed groups, pursuing legal reform, and gradually reducing restrictions on freedom of the press, association, and civil society. At least due in part to these reforms, AUNG SAN SUU KYI was elected to the national legislature in April 2012 and became chair of the Committee for Rule of Law and Tranquility. In a flawed but largely credible national legislative election in November 2015 featuring more than 90 political parties, the NLD again won a landslide victory. Burma served as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2014.

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than Texas

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)

Natural Hazards

Destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Environment Current Issues

Deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography Note

Strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

Southeast Asia

Irrigated Land 2004

21,100 sq km

Area 2015

Total

676,578 sq km
Land

653,508 sq km
Water

23,070 sq km

Coastline

1,930 km

Geographical Coordinates

22 00 N, 98 00 E

Land use 2015

Agricultural Land
19.2%;
Forest
48.2%
Other
32.6%

Terrain

Central lowlands ringed by steep
Rugged highlands

Land Boundaries

Total
6,522 km
Bangladesh km
China
2,129 km
India
1,468 km
Laos
238 km
Thailand
2,416 km

Natural Resources

Petroleum
Timber
Tin
Antimony
Zinc
Copper
Tungsten
Lead

Coal
Marble
Limestone
Precious stones
Natural gas
Hydropower
Arable land

BURMA